On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 334
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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First Day of Infiltration, The Organization Was Destroyed Episode 334
Counter-proposal
“Yes, I wrote it.”
“But how did you……”
“Understanding the principles of Mana isn’t particularly difficult.”
Setting aside the fact that he grasped it without struggle, explaining it clearly was an entirely different matter.
“How can you explain it so simply……”
“Because that’s how people can understand it easily.”
“…….”
“Existing textbooks explain theory through overly complex or convoluted language. Ancient tongue is used frequently even when unnecessary. The focus is less on transmitting knowledge and more on the author showing off their writing skill and erudition.”
Emeric felt as though struck on the head.
Ziel’s words were precise.
Mages can summarize any phenomenon in a single simple line, yet they deliberately write at length.
It isn’t truly explaining.
It’s making things appear difficult.
In the mage world, the transmission of knowledge follows a vertical structure—from above to below.
Without a teacher to explain the book, learning magic from the text alone is nearly impossible.
But Ziel, oblivious to such customs, presented an alternative solution cleanly and without regard for dusty tradition.
And there was something even more remarkable.
“You’ve understood the principles of Mana perfectly, Teacher.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“And the fact that you’ve written it so clearly that anyone would understand upon reading it…… that’s extraordinary.”
Of course, mages aren’t fools.
They don’t fail to explain because they can’t.
Even Emeric had never understood why magic texts were written so intricately that he couldn’t grasp them without hearing an explanation for every line.
‘If the old guard saw this textbook…… there’d be hell to pay.’
They would surely rage.
Complaining about the lack of dignity in the prose.
Yet to Emeric, it appeared to be the most perfect textbook imaginable.
‘I could use this with my students.’
Emeric offered his highest praise.
“Teacher Ziel, had you studied magic, you would have become the greatest mage.”
“I can still study it.”
“What? No, surely you’re joking. You could learn the theory, but actually casting magic is another matter entirely.”
“I can cast it.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, it’s possible. In theory, at least. Of course, without a Magic Inscription, I’ve never actually tried.”
Awakening magic and using it are separate things.
After perfectly mastering theory, one needs a Magic Inscription to provide the “trigger” for magical activation.
Not just anyone can inscribe these.
“Right, those are only given to apprentice mages who’ve completed their education.”
The mage society’s control and cohesion stems precisely from here.
A structure where no new mage can be born without someone’s permission!
But then something unbelievable came from Ziel’s mouth.
“I already know the Mana structure of a Magic Inscription.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s visible on Professor Emeric Kent’s shoulder.”
“I’m sorry?”
He’d never once bared his shoulder—how could he see it?
No, it wouldn’t be visible just by baring the shoulder.
Inscriptions are carved using special magical dyes, and as they heal, they fade from sight and settle beneath the skin.
“How…… can you see it?”
“I simply can.”
Ziel proceeded to perfectly reproduce the inscription using a writing instrument lying on the table.
“Is it correct?”
“……It probably is.”
Emeric didn’t know exactly how the inscription looked, but he could tell it matched almost perfectly with what he’d once seen during a practical observation.
“So if I carve this, I can use magic too.”
“…….”
Could it really be possible?
Knights and mages use Mana fundamentally differently.
Because of this difference in usage, the paths through which Mana flows within the body are different.
The reason the two cannot coexist is precisely this.
A mage can wield a sword, but they can never use a Mana Sword—the very symbol of knighthood.
In the reverse case, even if a Magic Inscription is carved, magic won’t activate.
“Will you…… carve it?”
“I have no such plans at present.”
“I see.”
“Teaching students is more important right now.”
Emeric nodded without hesitation.
“Understood, Teacher. As a visiting professor, yes?”
“Two classes per week. Three hours per class.”
“Understood. I’ll convince the Department Head myself.”
It was at that moment a good idea occurred to Emeric.
‘If this works…… I might win the Department Head’s support.’
“Um, Teacher Ziel. Would it be alright if the Arcane School used this textbook? Of course, we’d pay a fair fee.”
“Yes, please do. So long as proper compensation is provided, I have no objection.”
The current supervisors of the first and second years definitely support Emeric.
And with this textbook, he could dramatically raise the academic level of the lower classmen, including the third years!
If that happened, the gap between upper and lower classmen would narrow, and consequently, the upper classmen’s supervisors would become isolated.
So Emeric resolved to wade into Academy politics.
‘I’ll convince the Department Head.’
This would be something of a small revolution.
Abandoning textbooks written by established authorities and adopting new ones—written not by a fellow mage, but by a Sword School teacher.
But it didn’t matter.
Watching Ziel, Emeric felt much.
Ziel’s approach—ignoring all existing frameworks entirely if it meant fostering student growth, if it meant teaching students better!
That’s right.
That’s a real teacher.
‘I’m a teacher, an educator.’
“But why did you seek me out, Professor Emeric Kent?”
“That problem has just been resolved, Teacher Ziel.”
“I see. Understood.”
He seemed rather indifferent, which stung a little, but what did it matter?
That the problem was solved this way was surprising enough.
‘Teacher Ziel really is…… a god.’
“Oh, and the students will likely ask many questions.”
“Yes?”
“Praise Cards will be awarded to excellent students.”
Praise Cards!
Emeric’s eyes sparkled.
“With those, you can get into the Unlimited Dining Table, right?”
“Correct.”
“Could I get one if I teach well?”
“Aren’t you supposed to teach well anyway?”
“……I suppose so.”
Ziel was ruthlessly straightforward.
* * *
End of break.
For the first time in a while, a Sword School Faculty Meeting was held.
“It’s been a long time. Has everyone been well?”
Five professors and one official teacher gathered. Including the teaching assistants, quite a number of people filled the conference room.
They were familiar faces, but not particularly warm to each other.
Except for Elcanto and Allix, who followed Ziel.
But if not warmth, there was certainly surprise.
“What on earth did you two do during break?”
Professor Merhen Curtis.
Idel Record.
The supervisors of the third and fourth years, respectively!
The two were visibly gaunt.
And that wasn’t all.
Their skin was darkly tanned.
Berhal continued his astonished questioning.
“Now that I look…… your muscles seem almost ripped.”
The two had originally been of average build—neither thin nor overweight.
Certainly nothing like the physique of actively training knights.
After taking positions as Academy professors, they’d neglected their physical training.
But now the two looked as though they’d foregone only armor—ready to march onto a battlefield immediately!
The vacant, foggy gaze from thinking too much had vanished, replaced by sharp, piercing eyes.
“We resolved to change ourselves, Department Head.”
“Ah……”
“So Professor Idel and I underwent intensive special training throughout the entire break! Slaughtering demon beasts! Chewing through trees like iron ore!”
Ziel tilted his head.
“I understand slaughtering demon beasts, but why did you chew through trees like iron ore?”
“……That, that’s just… a figure of speech for how hard we trained.”
“Ah, so it’s a metaphor. I understand. Chewing trees like iron ore…… that seems odd, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t you chew iron ore like trees to show the results of training?”
The wind was knocked out of his sails, but Merhen pressed on.
“Anyway! We trained hard. Department Head, watch us. We’re not the same as before!”
“Ah, yes. I understand. Give it your best.”
The encouragement felt decidedly lukewarm.
It didn’t seem like it would last long.
Did people really change so easily?
‘Still, they say they’ve changed, so I should cheer them on.’
A faint smile played at Berhal’s lips.
In any case, throughout all this, Merhen and Idel regarded Ziel with a peculiar gaze.
Eyes burning with fighting spirit!
‘Have those two gone mad?’
Elcanto was slightly bewildered by that look.
Were they seeking revenge now, of all times?
“Well then, let’s begin the meeting.”
Thus the meeting to finalize the academic schedule for the second semester commenced.
“For this year’s Festa, each grade will choose its own theme. I’d like you all to give the themes some thought. There are no restrictions on themes—so long as they aren’t unethical or likely to cause discomfort among spectators.”
The second semester had two major events.
The Festa, which Berhal had just mentioned.
And practical training.
“I’d like to hold the practical training on Osu Island again, but the Imperial Palace is currently conducting an investigation there, so it’s difficult. I’ve been trying to arrange an alternative location…… and surprisingly, the Kundel Family has submitted a proposal.”
“The Kundel Family?”
“Yes. They’re offering to provide their Family Knight Order’s territory as a training ground.”
“Oh.”
It was surprising news.
The Kundel Family had supported knight units for classes before, but offering their own territory as a practical training site was unprecedented.
“However, this has become complicated because…… Rihart has made the same proposal.”
The joy was short-lived.
“…Wouldn’t it be better if we just didn’t go anywhere?”
Merhen and Idel trembled first.
They remained the same.
The other professors weren’t different.
“You’re right. I think it would be best to simply refuse both.”
Elcanto felt the same way, and Allix held a similar opinion.
“Perhaps I could speak to the Imperial Knight Order…… but this year is a concentrated training period, so that’s difficult.”
Isabella also expressed reluctance.
“It could entangle us in a politically unfavorable situation, Department Head. Moreover, both Houses have students in the second year.”
When you thought about it, Rihart’s influence within the Academy was actually less than Kundel’s.
While the three Kundel siblings entered the Academy, Rihart had only Celia.
Her two older brothers attended Telvir Academy.
Yet in terms of the situation within the Academy alone, both Houses were enormous.
“Indeed, that seems right?”
But then, someone who hadn’t yet voiced an opinion spoke up.
“Accept both proposals.”
It was Ziel.
“I’m sorry? What do you……”
A proposal that made no sense.
Accept both Houses’ proposals?
‘Then where are the students supposed to go?’
“Let the students choose. Students have the right to choose. From the perspective of Swordsmanship development, conducting practical training only with a single House that practices specific swordsmanship isn’t appropriate.”
At those words, Berhal’s ears perked up.
“Please, continue, Teacher Ziel.”
“Yes. It would be better to receive support from other Houses and offer the students as many options as possible.”
“Hmm……!”
This was the masterstroke to resolve the situation.
‘Teacher Ziel, you’re becoming increasingly skilled in politics.’
Rather than the Academy directly choosing a House, they’d accept all proposals and let students decide themselves!
It had been awkward to refuse these proposals in the first place, and choosing only one was equally problematic.
“Then let’s narrow down which Houses to send proposals to.”
At this moment.
With Ziel’s single remark, a competition among the Empire’s most influential Houses was beginning.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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